Job Description

Position: Physical Therapist Assistant FT – In-House Skilled Nursing Facility

FT

Are you looking to put your skills and the compassion you have for people to work, with an employer that values you and the work you do? If so, Carriage Hill Bethesda, a Vierra Communities property, is looking for you. If you are motivated, reliable and have a strong work ethic, we invite you to join our amazing team in providing our residents and patients with compassion and excellent care. We offer extremely generous and competitive pay and benefits and a positive work environment with a team that is committed to growth and providing excellent care.

Overview:

Carriage Hill Bethesda, a Vierra Communities property, is a family-owned and operated Nursing and Rehabilitation facility that provides a truly unique health & rehabilitation experience. We have a close-knit staff that will do anything to create the best community and experience for our residents.

FT Benefits:

• 7 Paid Major Holidays
• Generous PTO
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Company Paid Life & AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Life, STD & LTD
• 401(k) immediate enrollment with match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• Discount Program

Required Qualifications

• A valid, unrestricted license in his/her therapy discipline in the state.
• Meet educational requirements of his/her licensure requirements.
• Valid driver’s license in the state of employment.
• Knowledgeable of skilled nursing home regulations, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to long-term care.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in the practice of physical therapy and activities requiring an understanding of physical therapy but not requiring professional or advanced training in the anatomical, biological, and physical sciences involved in the practice of physical therapy.
• Practices only under the direction of a registered physical therapist (licensed).
• Implements the physical therapy treatment plan as established by the physical therapist in accordance with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in accordance with guidelines issued by the governing body and its respective affiliate state chapter, current state and federal laws and regulations; and respective practice act(s) in the state.
• Records the resident's progress and can request a reexamination if/when needed.
• Offers suggestions, provides feedback, carries-out agreed upon activities, and voices constructive concerns in a collaborative manner with the physical therapist.
• May perform physical examination to obtain, update and study therapy histories to ensure that each resident is on the appropriate physical therapy track.
• Documents physical therapy services by charting in the resident medical record.
• Complies with facility policies and procedures for appropriately documenting for residents receiving physical therapy.
• Schedules and coordinates with facility nursing staff therapy sessions for residents as instructed by the physical therapist or rehabilitation director.
• Prepares required documentation according to facility policy for billing purposes, discharge planning, etc. and as instructed by the physical therapist or rehabilitation director.
• Helps residents perform their planned therapeutic procedures by administering manual exercises such as simply instructing and encouraging a resident through his/her exercises to physically helping him/her complete a difficult routine.
• Treats residents who demonstrate disorders of musculoskeletal deficiencies, neurological conditions, balance disorders, and transfer/gait deficits, etc. Treatment will only be conducted after a written order is received from the physician.
• Is familiar with assistive devices that might be used during treatment and ambulatory assistive devices, like canes and walkers that some residents may require for walking.
• Monitors the resident’s environment in order to identify any needs or barriers that might negatively impact the resident’s therapy and recovery. Observes and makes recommendations for the necessary accommodations to the physical therapist and enacts those recommendations.
• Treats residents with a variety of physical therapy techniques including but not limited to massaging sore muscles and pushing injured ones into deeper stretches.
• Provides resident information needed for the resident assessment instrument according to facility policy such as but not limited to functional abilities, functional status, range of motion, balance during transitions and walking, physical therapy minutes and distinct calendar days, etc. during the defined observation period(s) as assigned by the physical therapist or rehabilitation director.
• Ensures physical therapy equipment is stored, used and sanitized, disinfected and/or cleaned properly and safely in the facility.
• Participates in daily, weekly, and/or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss residents’ therapy progression in relation to discharge planning for residents receiving physical therapy services as designated by the rehabilitation director or physical therapist.
• Adheres to the state practice guidelines in his/her discipline as defined by the State of Virginia Physical Therapy Practice Act. Maintains appropriate conduct and follows practice guidelines as defined by the professional association.
• Knows how to access the physical therapy state practice act and the professional association standards.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with residents, employees, and family members through scheduled, deliberate positive interactions using face to face, phone, or other means of communication.
• Maintains accountability in concert with applicable standards of practice, by-laws, and code of conduct for his/her therapy discipline.
• Facilitates, serves, attends or participates in various committees of the facility as necessary.
• Knows and understands the purpose and requirements for scope of work requirements as defined by the physical therapy practice act in each state.
• Delivers compassionate quality care and physical therapy services across the spectrum as evidenced by professional competence, general cleanliness of therapy gyms/offices and work areas, optimal resident functioning and resident satisfaction with physical therapy services provided.
• Knows physical therapy employees and employees of the interdisciplinary team in order to effectively communicate and provide optimal care for residents as well as any miscellaneous related needs.
• Promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and effective communication. Promotes positivity and active daily problem solving.
• Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the physical therapist as needed concerning physical therapy.
• Follows facility policy related to readiness for health inspection surveys, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveys, and any other regulatory entity or requirement.
• Reads and stays informed regarding regulatory, scope of work requirements as defined by the physical therapy practice act, business practices and other changes influencing physical therapy outcomes.
• Promotes safe work practices, safety rules, and accident prevention procedures to prevent resident/employee injury and illness.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position; lift, push, pull, carry heavy objects. Stand for long periods of time, walk, bend and stretch.
• The employee must be capable of exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally (less then 1/3 of the time), and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force frequently (1/2 of the time), and or up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of time) to move objects, equipment and/or patients.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend or crouch; use hands to manipulate tools, equipment, or controls; reach with hands and arms, balance, lift and perform medium to maximum transfer assists with patients.
• The employee is required to have visual and hearing acuity sufficient enough to assess patient safety and ability.
• The employee works mostly inside patient rooms or a clinic. This position is classified as a Category I for the purpose of exposure determination under the OSHA regulations regarding the Standard of Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030). Category I is defined as all procedures or job related tasks that involve an inherent risk for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills and/or splashes of blood or body fluids. The use of protective equipment and measures is required for every employee engaged in Category I tasks.
• Must be able to perform the physical requirements of the position; lift, push, pull, carry heavy objects. Stand for long periods of time, walk, bend and stretch.

Vierra Communities provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements Vierra Communities complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.